Issue link: http://educator.cta.org/i/1500904
"LGBTQ+ students have some of the highest rates of depres- sion, suicide attempts and self-harm," says Reyna, a member of Ravenswood Teachers Association and CTA Human Rights Cadre trainer. "e open culture wars have almost made it OK to express one's homophobia or transphobia, and it's very difficult for LGBTQ+ students. It's becoming borderline genocide with the denial of gender-affirming care." Inclusion Matters Sixth grade teacher Erica Nuss runs the Equality Club at her school in Palmdale's Westside Union School District; the club is a safe place for students to discuss issues in their lives. She has developed a deliberately inclusive curriculum, such as having her students research and present on prominent and historical figures who were LGBTQ+ or disabled. "For all my time in the education system, we have highlighted people who are mostly white and mostly straight. We know we don't mirror that most of the time," says Nuss, a member of Westside Union Teachers Association. "I want to make sure my students see themselves in the curriculum." As an out lesbian educator, Nuss says it's important for her to have a more inclusive and equitable classroom than what she experienced as a sixth grader. Nuss has the Progress Pride flag displayed in her class and often discusses tolerance topics with her students — recently the class learned about soccer star Megan Rapinoe and discussed the role LGBTQ+ athletes can have on society. "I am one of the only LGBTQ educators in the district, so a lot of times I am the first LGBTQ person my students meet," says Nuss (she, her), a CTA Human Rights Cadre trainer. "I had a student ask me if lesbian is a bad word, and we had a very good conversation about it." Being an out educator and creating safe spaces can draw unwanted attention, even in California. Earlier this year, Nuss was verbally attacked for her LGBTQ+ advocacy by members of the public at school board meetings. Unfortunately, her district management played both sides, equating hateful opinions with the need to protect and affirm the rights of LGBTQ+ people. " There's a whole lot of 'we support you, but …' The sentiment of homophobia and transphobia is shared by O V E R T H E P A S T F I V E Y E A R S , LGBTQ+ rights and people have been under attack in states nationwide, especially transgender youth. The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) is currently tracking 469 active pieces of anti-LGBTQ+ legislation across the country — more than double the num- ber last year and 10 times as many as in 2018. According to ACLU, 220 of these are related to schools and education. State lawmakers are proposing laws to prevent students who are transgender from participating in school activities like sports, and to force educators to "out" their students and censor school discussions of LGBTQ+ people and issues. Fifty of these bills are in Texas, while one — CTA-opposed AB 1314 (Assayli, R-Riverside) — is in California. As of April, 24 bills have passed in 11 states targeting LGBTQ+ rights in healthcare (including gender-affirming care), education and even banning drag performances in public places. According to the Movement Advancement Project, eight states cur- rently have laws censoring discussions of LGBTQ+ people or issues in schools — so-called "Don't Say Gay " laws that started in Florida last year with the support of Gov. Ron DeSantis. Federal lawmakers are also taking aim at LGBTQ+ rights and youth with Congress considering House Resolution 734, which would exclude transgender students from participat- ing in activities and opportunities that should be available to all students. NEA is opposed to HR 734 in defense of transgender students, calling on law- makers to reject the proposed law. For an example of a pro-LGBTQ+ student bill in California, see page 24. LGBTQ+ Rights, People Under Attack in Statehouses Across Country Charles Shannon 20 cta.org Feature